ANNOUNCEMENTS 2008-09 :: NOVEMBER 21, 2008

NC VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL RANKS EIGHTH IN NATION ON POLICY AND PRACTICE

Raleigh, NC - A survey conducted by the Center for Digital Education ranked the North Carolina Virtual Public School created under the leadership of Lt. Governor Bev Perdue as one of the top 10 state-led virtual schools in the nation. In 2008, the Center for Digital Education conducted a review of state policy and programs to determine the status of online learning policy and practice across the United States, and this ranking is a result of this review process.

The report was produced with the advice and consultation of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL).

The Center for Digital Education (CDE) interviewed state education officials across the nation to evaluate the overall landscape of online learning. The rankings reflect the vision, policies, programs and strategies that states have deployed around online learning in an effort to transform their academic environment to meet the needs of students. Certain characteristics deemed to have a greater impact on statewide leadership and education (such as states with state-led online programs and/or significant policy directives) played a more significant role in the rankings than others.

North Carolina's ranking reflects the vision, policies, programs and strategies that North Carolina has deployed around e-learning in an effort to transform education to meet the needs of students. The North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) now ranks eighth in the nation and has positioned itself as a rising leader in e-learning.

"The change and innovation that we are looking for in today's public schools is epitomized by the NCVPS," said Lt. Governor Bev Perdue. "By giving North Carolinians the technology to access globalized education online, they can choose the type of instruction that works for each student. No matter their age or location, everyone can now have access to courses and degrees in our public schools, community colleges and universities – any time, day or night."

NCVPS has made great strides in removing policy barriers and enacting proactive policies to help integrate e-learning as a sound strategy for school reform. State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee said, "Virtual learning offers North Carolina students unprecedented access to quality coursework. School schedules, geography, school size or other factors that used to be obstacles are no longer obstacles with NCVPS."

There are currently 15 states that offer state-led virtual schools, 16 that offer e-learning statewide and 19 with no program in place currently. NCVPS has continued to see over 30 percent enrollment growth since June 2007 and has now served over 26,000 students since enrolling students beginning in summer of 2007. "One year ago the NCVPS staff, partners, and stakeholders began a new course of action to become a top three virtual school in the nation. Thanks to their hard work and dedication we are continuing to provide educational opportunities to students all across North Carolina and we are getting recognized for our efforts", NCVPS Executive Director, Dr. Bryan Setser comments.

For more information on the Center's study, visit http://www.centerdigitaled.com.